Freight & Logistics 20 June 2025

Good Day Clients & Partners,

Please find below the Freight & Logistics Update for the week.  As always, the Inter-Sped team are ready to go the extra mile for you – so don’t hesitate to contact us. 

SOUTH AFRICA

Transnet Update

Transnet conducted scheduled IT network maintenance on Monday, 16 June from midnight to 6am, during which systems like NAVIS and GCOS were temporarily unavailable. Additionally, Transnet announced on 13 June that it has concluded a three-year wage agreement with its recognised labour unions (SATAWU and UNTU), securing an above-inflation 6% annual increase through 2028 and ensuring labour stability to support operational improvements and future growth.

Air Freight

Imports: All services are running smoothly. 

Exports: Services ex ZA are all running smoothly, no major delays experienced this week. 

Sea Freight

Imports: All services are running smoothly. 

Exports: Services running smoothly with minimal delays and disruptions.

Road Freight

Imports: All services are running smoothly. 

Exports: All services are running smoothly. 

Port Updates

DURBAN

• Terminal operations are performing as normal, with no extra-ordinary delays or challenges.
• Bayhead Road Rehabilitation Project – June to December 2025:
• As advised by Transnet, the road closure for this project commenced on Tuesday 17th June, in the afternoon (after peak traffic hours). As at date of publication, our transporters have not advised of any extra-ordinary delays or congestion. 
• On 16 June 2025, Ocean Network Express (ONE) reported that the vessel Bangkok Bridge was involved in a collision with a tugboat shortly after departing Durban. The ship returned to port for emergency repairs, and ONE is working to assess the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Port Update

• Pier 1 – 0 days waiting time
• Pier 2 (DCT) – 0 days waiting time
• Point 1-2 days waiting time

CAPE TOWN

• Vessel berth delays may vary as per the service.
• Port operations have been relatively smooth over the period under report.
• Seasonal, inclement weather and strong winds may impact port operations.

Port Update

• CTCT: 0-6 days waiting time – carrier service dependent.
• MPT: 0 days waiting time

PORT ELIZABETH

• Both ports are operating smoothly, with no congestion or delays
• Seasonal, inclement weather and strong winds may impact port operations.

Port Update

• PECT: 0 days waiting time.
• NCT: 0-2 days waiting time – carrier service dependent.

AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS

While terminal performance has improved in SA; vessel scheduling remains impacted by performance delays in Europe and other regions, therefore affecting scheduling on the African trades.

Air Freight

Imports: ll services are running smoothly. 

Exports:

• Most services running smoothly. 
• Slight backlog on Ethiopian Airline out of ADD, +/- 15 days delay ex ADD-BKO due to fuel shortages
• Emirates Airline into Accra Ghana – F/A in October, into Dar Es Salaam Tanzania – 2-3 week backlog
• SA Airlink onto NLA/LAD/BLZ +/- 1 week backlog
• Air France is no longer servicing: Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, Bamako Mali, N’djamena, Niamey

Cross Trade: All services are running smoothly. 

Sea Freight

Imports: All services are running smoothly. 

Exports: All services are running smoothly. 

Road Freight

All services are running smoothly. 

Port Updates

NAMIBIA

• Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Walvis Bay port.

ANGOLA

• Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Luanda port.

GHANA

• Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Tema port.
• Carriers have advised that there is bunching of off-window vessels, which has resulted in the increase in berthing delays.

NIGERIA

• Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Apapa port and 1 day at Tincan.
• Further days anticipated at Apapa due to severe yard congestion, resulting in delayed equipment movement.

IVORY COAST

• Berthing delay of 5 days experienced at Abidjan port.

MAURITIUS

• Berthing delay of 3-4 days experienced at Port Louis.
• Terminal operating system upgrade, which may impact berthing schedules.
• Strong winds experienced in week 24.
• Port Reunion (Reunion) is seeing 2-4 days waiting time, with scheduled maintenance planned.
• Toamasina (Madagascar) is clear, with no berthing delays and productivity targets are being met.

MOZAMBIQUE

• Berthing delay of 1-4 days experienced at Maputo port and 2-7 days at Beira.
• Scheduled maintenance planned in the Maputo terminals.

KENYA

• Berthing delays of 5- 6 days experienced at Mombasa port.
• Terminal operations not fully recovered after the poor weather conditions in week 20 and into 21.

TANZANIA

• Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Dar es Salaam port. Berthing sequence is escalating the waiting time for vessels.
• Terminal gate and road is congested, resulting in further equipment movement delays.
• Adani terminal is undergoing maintenance works at the quay for the next 2 years.

NORTH AMERICA

• Canada / SA services are currently routing over European hubs. Delays and extended lead times may be experienced due to the ongoing congestion in European ports. Alternative routing is offered over New York for Toronto and Montreal; service must be requested at time of booking and is based on a varied rate structure. For all Canada routings, both imports and exports moving over Europe; ICS2 filing is required.

• Advance bookings on the USA services are recommended, due to increasing volumes and possible capacity constraints.

Air Freight

Imports: All services are running smoothly. 

Exports: All services running smoothly.  

Sea Freight

Imports: All services are running smoothly. 

Exports: Services are running relatively smoothly with minimal delays.

Port Updates

CANADA

MONTREAL

• Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
• Yard utilization is at 54% and vessel productivity remains high. European vessels continue to operate off schedule due to ongoing delays from origin ports.
• There continues to be a steady and reliable supply of railcars and therefore import rail dwell time is steady.

TORONTO

• Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at this port.

VANCOUVER

• Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
• Yard utilization has increased to 90% as a result of increasing volumes as well as repositioning of empties. Rail dwell time is at 4.2 days and supported by increasing rail services.

USA

• Vessel rotation amendments, delays and schedule adjustments continue on this service.
• Last minute amendments to terminal cut off times may impact container loadings, while every effort is made to manage these adjustments and perform within carrier schedule changes.
• Advance bookings on the USA services are recommended, due to increasing volumes and possible capacity constraints.
• Volatility on schedules has seen vessel cut-off dates being amended at last minute, vessel schedule changes / phase out-phase in and omitted port calls continues to impact the US / SA rotation.

Terminals Updates:

NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY

• Average vessel waiting time in New York terminals is at 0-2 days.
• 1 new crane on APMT East berth to be operational by end of June and last crane should be operational by end of August.
• Average import rail dwell time is 5.3days.
• APMT New York is currently facing high demand for gate appointments and may be unable to accommodate all requests – particularly on vessel cut-off days. Customers are encouraged to deliver export cargo within the first few days after the terminal begins accepting freight for a specific vessel. This high demand, as well as frequent changes to published vessel times and cut-offs, is creating further delays and resulting in containers not being loaded.

NORFOLK

• Vessel waiting time at 1 day.
• Average import dwell time is 2.7 days.

CHARLESTON

• Average vessel waiting time for Charleston terminals is 6 days.
• Average import dwell time is at 8.3 days at North Charleston terminal and 8.3 days at Wando Welch terminal.

LOS ANGELES/ LONG BEACH

• Vessel waiting time is up to 2 days for Los Angeles and 1 days for Long Beach.

LATIN AMERICA

Air Freight

Imports: All services running smoothly.  

Exports: All services running smoothly.  

Sea Freight

Imports: All services running smoothly.  

Exports: Services running smoothly with minimal delays and disruptions.

Port Updates

ARGENTINA – Buenos Aires

• Berthing delays of 10 days experienced at Buenos Aires port.
• Reports of increased congestion and vessel delays in Buenos Aires. Lead times may be increased due to delays in both the Argentinian ports and Europe ports.

BRAZIL – Santos

• Berthing delay of 3 days experienced at Santos port.

MEXICO

ALTIMERA

• Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Altamira port.

VERACRUZ

• Berthing delays of 6 days.

MANZANILLO

• Berthing delays of 2 days.
• Yard is severely congested, and the terminal is working on a FIFO mode.

NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN

• Ports and terminals in UK and Northern Europe continue to experience high levels of congestion and delays continue out of these regions.
• All cargo moving via European ports is impacted by extended transit and therefore lead times will increase. This includes transshipment services for LCL cargo as well as container transshipment hubs of Algeciras and Las Palmas. Rotterdam, Antwerp and London Gateway are the most severely impacted.

Air Freight

Imports: All services running smoothly.  

Exports: All services running smoothly.  

Sea Freight

Imports: All services running smoothly.  

Exports: All services running smoothly.  

Port Updates

BELGIUM

• Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Antwerp port.

FRANCE

• Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Le Havre port.

GERMANY

• Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Hamburg and 1 day at Bremerhaven.

ITALY

• Berthing delays of 8 days experienced at Genova and 6 days delay at La Spezia port.

NETHERLANDS

• Berthing delays of 1 days experienced at Rotterdam port.

SPAIN

• Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Barcelona port.

TURKEY

• Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Istanbul port.
• Berthing delays of 1 day at Izmir port.

UNITED KINGDOM

• Berthing delays of 0- 2 days experienced at London Gateway port.

INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT & MIDDLE EAST

Air Freight

Imports: All services running smoothly.  

Exports: All services running smoothly.  

Sea Freight

Imports: All services running smoothly.  

Exports: Maersk has temporarily suspended vessel calls at Israel’s Haifa port amid regional tensions. 

Port Updates

INDIA

• Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Nhava Sheva and 3 days at Chennai.

SRI LANKA

• Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Colombo port. FCL containers transshipping in Colombo have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

• Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Jebel Ali.

ISRAEL

• Berthing delays of 2 days at Ashdod port and 29 days at Haifa.

Notification from Israeli Eldan Cargo received 16th May 2025:

• “Our offices remain fully functional. Eldan Cargo has adopted all necessary safety protocols, including remote working arrangements where appropriate.
• Ports: Both Ashdod and Haifa ports continue to operate, although at a reduced pace. Delays in vessel schedules are expected due to increased security measures.
• Inland Transportation: Domestic trucking is ongoing, but currently experiencing significant slowdowns.
• Dangerous Goods (DG): There are temporary restrictions in place. Shipping lines are offloading DG containers at transshipment hubs until the situation in Israel stabilizes.
• For the next two weeks, Eldan Cargo will not accept any DG cargoes.”

ASIA PACIFIC (Including Oceania)

• Freight rates have continued to increase throughout June and from discussions with carriers as well as notifications as issued; rates are to see increases into July.
• Carriers have advised of high demand from China and South-East Asia into South Africa and this is expected to continue over the next few weeks. Due to high volumes from South-East Asia; container layovers are being experienced in Singapore of between 1 to 2 weeks. This is creating a backlog of containers that need to be moved by the shipping lines. In a bid to clear the backlog, we are seeing carriers amending container routings, with unscheduled transshipments in Singapore; to uplift and clear older, backlogged containers.
• Direct sailings, at this time, are not guaranteed; container routings are subject to change without prior notification. This situation is expected to continue until the backlog is cleared and capacity stabilises.

Air Freight

Imports: All services running smoothly.  

Exports: All services running smoothly with minimal delays. 

Sea Freight

Imports:  All services running smoothly.  

Exports: All services running smoothly.  

Port Updates

HONG KONG

• Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at this port.

NANSHA

• Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.

NINGBO

• Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port. Vessel bunching continues to be experienced and varies by terminal.

QINGDAO

• Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port. Vessel bunching and congestion bein experienced.

SHANGHAI

• Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port. Heavy vessel bunching and congestion being experienced.

SHEKOU / YANTIAN

• Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at both Shekou and Yantian ports.

XIAMEN

• Berthing delays of 0 days experienced at this port.

XINGANG / TIANJIN

• Berthing delay of 0 days experienced at this port.

SINGAPORE

• Berthing delays of 1 day being experienced at this port. Vessel bunching and congestion being experienced.
• Container transshipments through Singapore may see 1-2 weeks delay.
• However, LCL cargo moving through our Singapore hub is not experiencing any delays outside of carrier activity and cargo transshipment is moving timeously.

KOREA

• Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Busan port. Bunching of mega vessels experienced.

TAIWAN

• Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Kaohsiung port.

THAILAND

• Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Bangkok and Laem Chabang ports.

NEWS ARTICLES

Exports to Lesotho Fact New Regulation Rollout from July

09/06/2025

From 1 July, freight forwarders will need a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to export goods to Lesotho, according to Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL). The RSL has confirmed that all systems are in place to enforce the new declaration requirements via the Automated System for Customs Data (Asycuda), used across the Southern African Customs Union. Exporters must either apply for exemption or appoint agents recognised by the Agents of Foreign Firms Association of Lesotho (Affal), or they will be unable to continue trade. RSL has urged forwarders to inform their clients and submit exemption applications without delay.

Despite earlier delays due to Asycuda integration challenges, this rollout appears final. Previously, compliance was low, partly due to uncertainty around potential profit-sharing rules and doubts over the system’s readiness. However, the RSL now insists they are fully prepared, and industry leaders, including Value Logistics’ Stephen Segal, have confirmed their confidence in the implementation. Exemptions remain available for certain sole providers and franchises with formal agreements, but those not based in Lesotho must act promptly to avoid supply chain disruptions. Source

Airlines suspend flights after Israel strikes Iran

The Israel‑Iran hostilities that erupted on June 13, 2025 triggered a cascade of airspace closures and flight suspensions affecting destinations across the Middle East—including Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Tehran, Erbil, Baghdad, and Damascus. Major carriers (Delta, United, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ryanair, Swiss, Aegean, Air France–KLM, among others) halted or rerouted services for periods spanning weeks or months. The knock-on effects—cancellations, higher fares, delays—are reverberating globally, stranding passengers and prompting government-led evacuations. Continued instability means disruptions are likely stretching into the summer and possibly beyond. Source

Tariff Damage Looms Without New Trade Deal, says Economist

17/06/2025

Import volumes through the Port of Los Angeles dropped 5% year-on-year in May, marking the end of a 10-month growth streak. The port handled 717,000 TEUs, with a 9% decline in imports from May 2024 and a sharp 19% drop from April. Executive Director Gene Seroka attributed the downturn to trade uncertainty, even as the temporary tariff pause spurred a short-term boost in U.S.-bound shipments. Exports also fell 5%, continuing a six-month decline. While recent U.S.–China talks in London offer hope, elevated tariffs—55% on Chinese imports and 10% retaliatory from China—continue to weigh on trade.

Economist Ernie Tedeschi warned that 2025’s announced tariffs have raised the U.S. effective tariff rate by 12 percentage points, increasing household costs by an estimated $2,500 per year and disproportionately affecting lower-income families. He noted that the inflationary effects of tariffs unfold gradually, often taking months to appear in consumer prices. With retail sales also down in May, and forecasts predicting continued declines in imports for the coming months, Seroka stressed the importance of the port’s preparedness. He highlighted strong operational efficiency as a silver lining amid economic headwinds. Source

Early Peak Season Push Drives Trans-Pacific Rates Higher

11/06/2025

Trans-Pacific container rates have surged sharply in early June as shippers rush to move goods ahead of potential tariff changes in July and August, marking the start of an early peak season. Reports from SONAR and Freightos show container rates from Asia to the U.S. West Coast have doubled, with rates to the East Coast climbing 60%, driven by early demand, Red Sea disruptions, and potential port strikes. General Rate Increases (GRIs) implemented from June 1 have contributed to the spike, with additional hikes of $1,000–$3,000 per FEU expected in mid-June and early July. Freightos predicts the rate pressure will persist through July due to tight capacity and ongoing port congestion across several Far East hubs.

Despite the rising rates, demand may level out by mid-July as shipping capacity rebounds. U.S. ports are bracing for increased volumes, though the National Retail Federation has forecast a milder peak, with July imports expected to be 9% lower than last year’s August high. This reflects shippers’ initial hesitation under tariff hikes of up to 145%, followed by a rebound during the current 90-day tariff pause. The demand shift is also impacting other lanes, with Asia–Mediterranean rates up 32%. Longer-term rate stability will depend on the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S., China, and the EU. Source

Delays Continue to Mount Across Northern Europe’s Ports

13/06/2025

Northern Europe’s ports are experiencing their most severe disruption since the pandemic, with key hubs like Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven heavily congested as of June 13, 2025. A combination of labour strikes, rail closures, carrier alliance changes, and historically low water levels on inland waterways has triggered a chain reaction of delays. In response, Maersk has announced it will omit Rotterdam on its TA5 service from June 25, while Antwerp officials describe the situation as worse than during COVID. Container dwell times have exceeded eight days, terminals are full, and barge delays at Rotterdam stretch up to 56 hours.

To manage the crisis, carriers are rerouting vessels, skipping overloaded ports, and applying congestion surcharges. Terminals have also imposed restrictions on empty container returns and introduced emergency controls, including berth prioritization and tighter export windows. The disruption is expected to persist through August, with global supply chains further stressed by Middle East instability and the ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions. Industry experts caution that even a potential reopening of the Suez Canal could trigger additional chaos, as overlapping vessel schedules may further destabilize already strained European port operations. Source

Freight Market Reacts to Soaring Middle East Tensions

19/06/2025

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply, with U.S. officials reportedly preparing for a potential military strike on Iran amid increasing hostilities between Iran and Israel. The situation has sparked fears of a wider regional conflict, with Iran reportedly considering laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. intervenes. Freight markets are reacting swiftly: rates for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and LR2 tankers have more than doubled in recent days, reflecting the critical importance of the Middle East to global oil shipments. Meanwhile, the Greek Ministry of Shipping has advised all Greek-flagged vessels to avoid Iranian waters due to safety concerns, and marine insurers have hiked premiums for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz by over 60%, driven by risks including electronic interference and attacks by Iranian-backed militants.

The insurance market has also been rattled by GPS spoofing incidents and a recent tanker collision near the Strait of Hormuz, believed to involve deliberate navigational interference. These developments have heightened caution among shipowners and operators, especially with the Iranian-backed Houthi group threatening commercial vessels. Despite the tense climate, many senior tanker executives remain skeptical about a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. They point to historical precedents and the strategic interests of major oil importers like China and India as factors likely to keep the strait open, even as the current conflict between Israel and Iran fuels market uncertainty.

War risk insurance premiums for shipments to Israel have surged up to threefold as the conflict enters its fifth day, increasing voyage costs substantially. Israeli ports such as Ashdod, Haifa, and Eilat remain operational, but the security situation has led many shipping companies to exercise heightened caution. The recent damage to Israel’s largest oil refinery in Haifa has added to concerns about the safety of maritime trade in the region. Additionally, the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has declared a maritime blockade on Haifa port and threatened attacks on Israel-linked vessels, escalating risks in the Red Sea corridor, a crucial shipping route.

Industry leaders at Marine Money Week 2025 discussed these developments, emphasizing a complex and tense market environment. While some executives describe the situation as a “Mexican standoff” between charterers and owners, others believe Iran may seek peace rather than escalate further, recognizing the economic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. The rush to secure liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shipments out of the Middle East and the U.S. highlights the shifting dynamics as markets respond to geopolitical risks and ongoing trade uncertainties. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the broader impact on global shipping and energy markets. Source

SOURCES & REFERENCES

SACO CFR | Hapag Lloyd | Maersk | MSC | Transnet | The LoadStar Publications | gCaptain.com | Shipco Transport | Splash247.com | Freightnews | Seatrade Maritime News | Automotive Logistics | Lloyds List 

Again, the Inter-Sped team is here for all freight and Logistics needs – We will always do our best for you and keep you posted on your shipments progress on an individual shipment level.

Thank you for choosing Inter-Sped. 

JJ & The Inter-Sped Team